Comparative Effects of Compound Enzyme and Antibiotics on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Biochemical Index, and Intestinal Health in Weaned Pigs

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial diversity and volatile fatty acid, and blood biochemical indices of suckling donkeys fed diets supplemented with multienzymes

BACKGROUND

As the foal grows, the amount of breast milk produced by the donkey decreases. In such cases, early supplemental feeding is particularly important to meet the growth needs of the foal. Foals have an incompletely developed gastrointestinal tract with a homogenous microbiota and produce insufficient amounts of digestive enzymes, which limit their ability to digest and utilize forage. Improving the utilization of early supplemental feeds, promoting gastrointestinal tract development, and enriching microbial diversity are the hotspots of rapid growth research in dairy foals. Plant-based feeds usually contain non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), including cellulose, xylan, mannan, and glucan, which hinder nutrient digestion and absorption. In addition, proteins and starch (both biomolecules) form a composite system mainly through non-covalent interactions. The proteins wrap around the surface of starch granules and act as a physical obstacle, thereby inhibiting water absorption and expansion of starch and decreasing the enzyme's catalytic effect on starch. Glyanase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, cellulase, protease, and amylase added to cereal diets can alleviate the adverse effects of NSPs. The current study determined the effects of adding multienzymes (glyanase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, cellulase, protease, and amylase) to the diet of 2-month-old suckling donkeys on their growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, fecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) and pH, fecal bacterial composition, and blood biochemical indices.

RESULTS

On day 120 of the trial, fecal samples were collected from the rectum of donkeys for determining bacterial diversity, VFA content, and pH. Moreover, fresh fecal samples were collected from each donkey on days 110 and 115 to determine apparent digestibility. The multienzymes supplementations did not affect growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility in the donkeys; however, they tended to increase total height gain (P = 0.0544). At the end of the study, the multienzymes supplementations increased (P < 0.05) the Observed species, ACE, Chao1, and Shannon indices by 10.56%, 10.47%, 10.49%, and 5.01%, respectively. The multienzymes supplementations also increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Firmicutes, Oscillospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae, Christensenellaceae, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Streptococcus in feces, whereas decreased (P = 0.0086) the abundance of Proteobacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Multienzymes supplementations added to a basal diet for suckling donkeys can increase fecal microbial diversity and abundance.

β-mannanase supplementation in diets reduced in 85 kcal metabolizable energy/kg containing xylanase-phytase improves gain to feed ratio, nutrient usage, and backfat thickness in finisher pigs

This study aimed to assess the effects of β-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase-phytase on performance, fecal score, blood biochemical and immunological profile, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), digesta passage rate, fecal microbiome, carcass traits and meat quality in finisher pigs (n = 40 entire male hybrid, 26.0 ± 0.9 kg) randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: a control diet containing isolated phytase and xylanase valued at 40 kcal of ME/kg (CD0), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 30 kcal of ME/kg) (CD70), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 45 kcal of ME/kg) (CD85), and CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 60 kcal of ME/kg) (CD100), with 10 pen replicates. Pigs fed CD0 diet showed (P = 0.002) greater ADFI. However, pigs fed CD0 diet showed (P = 0.009) lower G:F than those provided CD70 or CD85 diets. A greater (P &lt; 0.001) superoxide dismutase concentration was observed in pigs fed CD70 diet. Pigs fed CD85 diet showed (P = 0.002) greater digestible protein than pigs fed CD0 or CD100 diets. Pigs fed CD70 diet showed an increase of 11.3% in digestible protein than those fed CD0 diet. In addition, greater (P &lt; 0.001) digestible energy was observed in pigs fed CD85 diet. Pigs fed CD0 or CD100 diets showed greater (P &lt; 0.05) Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio than those fed CD85 diet. The Muribaculaceae was more abundant (P = 0.030) in pigs fed CD70 diet than in those fed CD0 diet. The Prevotella was more abundant (P = 0.045) in pigs fed CD85 diet than in those fed CD100 diet. In conclusion, β-mannanase supplementation in diets containing xylanase-phytase allows reducing 85 kcal of ME/kg because it improves gain to feed ratio, energy and protein usage, and backfat thickness without metabolic and intestinal ecosystem disorders in finisher pigs.

Effects of Bacillus licheniformis and Combination of Probiotics and Enzymes as Supplements on Growth Performance and Serum Parameters in Early-Weaned Grazing Yak Calves

Early weaning is an effective strategy to improve cow feed utilization and shorten postpartum intervals in cows; however, this may lead to poor performance of the weaned calves. This study was conducted to test the effects of supplementing milk replacer with Bacillus licheniformis and a complex of probiotics and enzyme preparations on body weight (BW), size, and serum biochemical parameters and hormones in early-weaned grazing yak calves. Thirty two-month-old male grazing yaks (38.89 ± 1.45 kg body weight) were fed milk replacer at 3% of their BW and were randomly assigned to three treatments (n = 10, each): T1 (supplementation with 0.15 g/kg Bacillus licheniformis), T2 (supplementation with a 2.4 g/kg combination of probiotics and enzymes), and a control (without supplementation). Compared to the controls, the average daily gain (ADG) from 0 to 60 d was significantly higher in calves administered the T1 and T2 treatments, and that from 30 to 60 d was significantly higher in calves administered the T2 treatment. The ADG from 0 to 60 d was significantly higher in the T2- than in the T1-treated yaks. The concentration of serum growth hormone, insulin growth factor-1, and epidermal growth factor was significantly higher in the T2-treated calves than in the controls. The concentration of serum cortisol was significantly lower in the T1 treatment than in the controls. We concluded that supplementation with probiotics alone or a combination of probiotics and enzymes can improve the ADG of early-weaned grazing yak calves. Supplementation with the combination of probiotics and enzymes had a stronger positive effect on growth and serum hormone levels, compared to the single-probiotic treatment with Bacillus licheniformis, providing a basis for the application of a combination of probiotics and enzymes.

Effects of different starch diets on growth performance, intestinal health and faecal microbiota of growing pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different starch source diets on growth performance, intestinal health, and, microbiota of growing pigs. Eighteen healthy "Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire" pigs (50 ± 0.61 kg, Castrated boar) were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates and one pig per replicate. The pigs in the three treatments were fed diets prepared with cassava flour (CF), rice bran (RB) and sorghum flour (SF), respectively, and the nutritional levels of the three treatments were the same. The experiment lasted for 28 days. The results showed that pigs in the RB group had significantly increased average daily gain (ADG, p < 0.05) compared with pigs in CF and SF groups. Compared with pigs in the CF group, the final body weight (FBW) of growing pigs in the RB group was increased and the ratio of feed to gain (F: G) was decreased (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between FBW and F: G between the SF group and the other two groups. Compared with the CF group, the RB group significantly increased the jejunum amylase activity (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the SF group and the other two groups. Compared with growing pigs in the CF group and SF group, the duodenal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio of growing pigs in the RB group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and total VFA in the colon and caecum of piglets in the SF group were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to piglets in CF and RB groups, and there was no significant difference between the CF group and RB group. Compared with the RB group, caecal butyric acid concentration was significantly increased in SF and CF groups (p < 0.05). Seven dominant phyla were identified at the phylum level, among which Firmicutes, Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota were dominant phyla, accounting for 74.18%, 14.87% and 6.56% of the RB group respectively. Cassava flour group accounted for 80.22%, 9.64% and 3.71%; Accounting for 65.33%, 17.34% and 13.07% of the SF group. Through the comparative analysis of microbial differences among the treatment groups, it was found that at the phylum level, compared with the SF group, the abundance of Synergistota in the diet of the CF group and the diet of the RB group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The abundance decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The quantity of Desulfobacterota in the RB group was significantly higher than that in the CF group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, compared with sorghum starch and cassava starch, RB starch can improve the activity of digestive enzymes and villus height in the small intestine of growing pigs and promote the growth of pigs by protecting the intestinal health of growing pigs.

Fermented Chinese Herbal Medicine Promoted Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Regulated Bacterial Microbiota of Weaned Piglets

To investigate the effects of fermented Chinese herbal medicine on growth performance, diarrhea rate, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of weaned piglets, and to provide the theoretical basis for applying fermented Chinese herbal medicines to weaned piglet production, a total of 162 weaned and castrated piglets at 25 days of age (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, half male and half female) with an initial body weight of 7.77 ± 0.03 kg were randomly divided into the following three groups according to the principle of similar body weight: basal diet (CON) group, basal diet + 3 kg/t fermented Chinese herbal medicine (LFHM) group, and basal diet + 5 g/kg fermented Chinese herbal medicine (HFHM) group. Each group underwent six replicates and there were nine piglets in each replicate. The experiment lasted 24 days, i.e., 3 days for preliminary feeding, and 21 days for the experiment. From Day 1 of the experiment, the piglets were observed and recorded for diarrhea each day. As compared with the CON group, the results indicated: Following the addition of fermented Chinese herbal medicine, the piglets in the LFHM and HFHM groups increased final weight (FW); average daily feed intake (ADFI); average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.01); apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP) (p < 0.05); as well as chymotrypsin, α-amylase, and lipase activities (p < 0.01). In addition, α-amylase activity in the LFHM group was higher than that in the HFHM group (p < 0.05); chymotrypsin activity in the LFHM group was lower than that in the HFHM group (p < 0.05); as compared with the CON group, the LFHM and the HFHM increased villus height (VH) and crypt depth (CD) in piglet jejunum; isovaleric acid concentration with the HFHM was higher than those with the CON and the LFHM (p < 0.05), but butyrate concentration with the HFFM was lower than those with the CON and the LFHM (p < 0.05). The high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing of intestinal microbiota results showed that the LFHM and the HFHM affected the microbial α diversity index in weaned piglet colon (p < 0.01). In conclusion, fermented Chinese herbs can improve the growth performance of weaned piglets by promoting the secretion of intestinal digestive enzymes, changing intestinal microbial diversity, regulating the contents of intestinal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), promoting intestinal health, and improving nutrients digestibility.

Compound organic acid could improve the growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, and intestinal health by altering the microbiota profile of weaned piglets

This study aimed to investigate the impact of compound organic acid (COA) and chlortetracycline (CTC) on serum biochemical parameters, intestinal health, and growth performance of weaned piglets. Twenty-four piglets (24 d of age) were randomly allocated into three treatments with eight replicate pens (one piglet per pen). Feed the basal diet or a diet containing 3,000 mg/kg COA or 75 mg/kg CTC, respectively. Results showed that both COA and CTC significantly increased average daily gain and reduced diarrhea rates (P < 0.05). They also upregulated serum total antioxidant capacity and downregulated serum interleukin (IL-10) levels (P < 0.05), increased crude protein digestibility and propionic acid concentration in the colon, and decreased spermidine and putrescine contents (P < 0.05). Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that both COA and CTC increased the Shannon and Chao1 index and decreased the relative abundance of Blautia and Roseburia, but increased the relative abundance of Clostridium-sensu-stricto-1. Correlation analysis indicated that Clostridium-sensu-stricto-1 may be closely related to inflammation levels and microbial metabolites in piglets. Based on the results, COA may be a potential substitute for CTC to reduce antibiotic use and biogenic amine emission while improving piglet growth and intestinal health.

Effect of 3-caffeoylquinic acid on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal functions in weaned pigs

Phenolic acid like with the 3-caffeoylquini acid (3-CQA) is formed by caffeic acid and qunic acid. This study was conducted to explore the effect of 3-CQA on growth performance and intestinal functions in weaned pigs. A total of 180 weaned pigs were randomly allocated into five treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment (6 pigs per pen). Pigs in the control group (CON) were fed with basal diet (BD), and the others in the experimental groups were fed with BD and supplemented with 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg 3-CQA. On day 43, the blood sample-collected pigs in the CON and optimal-dose group (only based on growth performance) were picked, and housed in metabolism cages (a total of 12 pigs, N = 6). 3-CQA increased the feed efficiency from days 21 to 42 of the trial and throughout the trial (P < 0.05). 3-CQA increased the serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, and total cholesterol (P < 0.05). Moreover, 3-CQA supplementation at 25 mg/kg increased the apparent digestibility of DM, energy, and ash (P < 0.05). Interestingly, 3-CQA decreased the crypt depth but increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05). Moreover, 3-CQA also increased the activities of sucrase, lactase, and catalase in the jejunal mucosa, and increased the activities of alkaline phosphatase and superoxide dismutase in the ileal mucosa (P < 0.05). 3-CQA also increased the abundance of secretory immunoglobulin A in the ileal mucosa (P < 0.05). Importantly, 3-CQA not only elevated the expression levels of critical functional genes such as the zonula occludens-1 , occludin, solute carrier family 7 , and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the duodenum but also elevated the expression levels of divalent metal transporter-1 and Nrf2 in the jejunum (P < 0.05). These results suggested a positive effect of 3-CQA supplementation on the growth and intestinal functions of weaned pigs. The mechanisms of action may be associated with elevated anti-oxidant capacity and improved intestinal barrier functions.

Effects of Dietary Protein Restriction on Colonic Microbiota of Finishing Pigs

This study is aimed at the effects of low-protein diets with four amino acids balanced on serum biochemical parameters and colonic microflora of finishing pigs. Fifty-four healthy (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) hybrid barrows with an average body weight of 70.12 ± 4.03 kg were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments with three barrows per pen and six pens per treatment. The barrows were fed a normal protein diet (NP), a low-protein diet (LP), and a very low-protein diet (VLP). Compared with the NP diet, reduced dietary protein did not influence serum biochemical parameters (p > 0.05). The valeric acid was significantly increased with the VLP diet (p < 0.05). Compared with the NP diets, the abundance of Terrisporobacter (13.37%) Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 (23.37%) and Turicibacter (2.57%) increased to 21.04, 33.42 and 13.68% in LP diets and 16.72, 43.71 and 14.61% in VLP diets, while the abundance of Lactobacillus (9.30%) and Streptococcus (25.26%) decreased to 3.57 and 14.50% in LP diets and 1.86 and 4.07% in VLP diets. Turicibacter and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_6 had a powerful negative correlation with the content of valeric acid (p < 0.01), while Peptococcus and Clostridia_UCG-014 had a very solid positive correlation (p < 0.01). In conclusion, reducing dietary protein level can improve colon microbiota composition, especially reducing the abundance of bacteria related to nitrogen metabolism, but has no significant effect on SCFA except valeric acid. In addition, reduction in the dietary protein level by 5.48% had more different flora than that of 2.74% reduction in dietary CP level.

Effects of Brewer Grain Meal with Enzyme Combination on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Intestinal Morphology, Immunity, and Oxidative Status in Growing Pigs

This study investigated the effects of supplementing feed with various levels of brewer grain meal (BGM) and enzymes (amylase, xylanase, β-glucanase, lipase, cellulase, β-mannanase, phytase, and pectinase) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, immunity, and oxidative status in growing pigs. Eighty growing pigs were subjected to four feed treatments (five replicates per treatment), based on a corn-soybean basal diet: feeds with 0.1% enzyme combination supplementation (PC), no enzyme supplementation (NC), 20% BGM with 0.1% enzyme combination (BGM20), and 40% BGM with 0.1% enzyme combination (BGM40). Supplementing the feed with both BGM-supplemented diets significantly increased final body weight, average daily gain, the digestibility of crude protein and ash, serum concentration of total proteins, superoxide dismutase activity, villus height in the duodenum and jejunum, and duodenal villus height to crypt depth ratio; however, it did not significantly increase blood urea nitrogen, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, malondialdehyde levels, and duodenal crypt depth compared to the NC diet (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a lower hindgut pH in the middle of the colon was detected following the BGM-supplemented diet compared to PC treatment (p = 0.005). Increased levels of triglycerides and albumin were detected in BGM20-fed pigs, whereas increased levels of glucose, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase but decreased interleukine-6 levels were observed in the BGM40 compared with the NC group (p = 0.05). No differences were observed in the average daily feed intake and gain to feed ratio, in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase or immunoglobulins (p > 0.05). The addition of up to 40% BGM combined with 0.1% enzyme supplementation positively promotes the growth performance, nutrient utilization, and intestinal health of growing pigs.